JOE DIMAGGIO AWARD DINNER ★★★★ honoring ★★★★ MARIANO RIVERA THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016 THE METROPOLITAN CLUB NEW YORK The Joe DiMaggio Award was established in 1999 in memory of baseball legend, and Hall of Famer, the “Yankee Clipper,” Joe DiMaggio, due to his support of educational needs of students with learning disabilities. Since then, the Joe DiMaggio Award has been presented to award-winning business news anchor and journalist, Maria Bartiromo; former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager Lou Piniella; broadcaster Bob Costas, football stars-turned broadcasters Boomer Esiason and Tiki Barber; Nobel Prize recipient Secretary of State Henry Kissinger; baseball Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Tommy Lasorda; Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Paul Simon; former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani; businessman and entrepreneur John Bello; Emmy award-winner James Gandolfini; television host Regis Philbin; and, of late memory, basketball Hall of Famer Dave DeBusschere and Operatic Maestro Luciano Pavarotti. Mariano Rivera was born in Panama City, Panama and grew up with one older sister, and two younger brothers. The family lived in Puerto Caimito, a Panamanian fishing village, and were supported by his father’s job as captain of a fishing boat. As a young man, Rivera played soccer and baseball with his friends on the beach during low tide. Without the means to buy baseball equipment for games, they substituted card- board milk cartons for gloves, tree branches for bats, and fashioned balls by taping worn-out baseballs and wads of shredded fishing nets. Rivera used this makeshift equipment until his father bought him his first leather glove when he was 12 years old. Rivera was signed by the Yankees organization in Panama in 1990, and debuted in the major leagues in 1995. Initially a starting pitcher, he was con- verted to a relief pitcher late in his rookie year. After a breakthrough season in 1996 as a setup man, he became the Yankees’ closer in 1997. In the following seasons, he established himself as one of baseball’s top relievers, leading the major leagues in saves in 1999, 2001, and 2004. He was a key contributor to the Yankees’ success in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. An accomplished postseason performer, he is regarded within baseball as one of the most dominant relievers in major league history. He was named the 1999 World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the 2003 AL Championship Series MVP, and he holds several postseason records, including lowest earned run average (ERA) (0.70) and most saves (42). In 2013, the Yankees retired his uniform number 42; he was the last major league player to wear the number full-time, following its league-wide retirement in honor of Jackie Robinson. He is consid- ered to be a strong candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame once he is eligible. Rivera has been involved in philanthropic causes and the Christian community throughout his career and with his organization, Mariano Rivera Foundation, he plans to dedicate his retirement years to continue helping others. The foundation has provided health clinics for children where there was no existing clinics, obtained/bought hospital ambulances and rescue vehicles where needed. Moreover, the foundation has set-up an Annual Incentive Scholarship Program, which provides finances to underprivileged students who show promise of bright futures, not only athletically or academically but who also demonstrate determination to better themselves. We want to give these students incentive and create interest in them so they will desire to further their education. From his best-selling book, The Closer with Wayne Coffey, to his heart- warming speeches, Rivera inspires readers and audiences alike with his life story as one of the top-five Yankees of all time, the championships, the bosses, the rivalries, his struggles of being a Latino baseball player in the United States, and maintaining Christian values in professional athletics. He discusses his drive to win, the secrets behind his legendary composure, what it’s like to run up to that mound with the game – or the season – squarely on his shoulders. Columbus Citizens Foundation and Futures in Education cordially invite you to attend the JOE DIMAGGIO AWARD DINNER honoring Mariano Rivera May 5, 2016 The Metropolitan Club New York 1 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022 6:00pm – Cocktails 7:00pm – Dinner, Award Ceremony Master of Ceromonies Ed Randall Host of Talking Baseball Jacket and tie required Columbus Citizens Foundation Members may RSVP by calling 212-249-9923 x210 For Information, please call Futures in Education 718-965-7308, x1628 Joe DiMaggio’s brand identity used by permission of the Trustees of the Joe DiMaggio Estate. The Columbus Citizens Foundation administers scholarship programs that help hundreds of students each year in elementary school, high school, and college. Presently, there are 649 students in our scholarship program. Funding for these programs comes from donations made by members, friends and sponsorships of Columbus Celebration events. Our scholarship programs grew out of a desire to improve the lives of Italians and Italian-Americans. Most Italian-Americans have realized the dream of success their forefathers held for them: an education, a secure home, and the ability to provide for their families and those who are needy. However, education remains a critical issue in the lives of thou- sands of Italian-American students in the greater metropolitan area. For the Italian-American community to prosper – for our entire society to prosper – no academically qualified student should be denied an education because of financial need. We feel that every student who is determined and committed to his or her studies, to self-improvement, to family and to community must be given the opportunity to realize his or her potential. The Foundation awards scholarships to students of Italian heritage who can demonstrate financial need and have shown success in their studies and involvement with their communities. Because our goals are long-term, we reward academically qualified students with multi-year scholarships. The mission of Futures in Education is to ensure that the gift of an excellent Catholic education continues to be a viable option for current and future generations of deserving students in Brooklyn and Queens. We pro- vide assistance to the neediest of those students, through endowment funds and fundraising programs that focus on key educational priorities. The Futures in Education High School Angels Program helps subsidize the cost of a Catholic college preparatory education for a student by pro- viding tuition assistance. Angels not only provide the financial support to a student in need, but also represent the confidence a teenager needs in order to succeed in high school and beyond. An investment in an Angel student’s education is truly a life-changing gift – for both the student and the Angel. Please change lives through the gift of education. Columbus Citizens Foundation Futures in Education Officers Board of Trustees Angelo Vivolo, President Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Ph.D., D.D. Marian U. Pardo, Vice President Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello, Vicar for Michael F. Pedone, Secretary Development Christopher Loiacono, Treasurer Robert B. Catell, Chairman Board of Governors Anthony J. Bonomo, J.D. Frank G. Fusaro, Chairman Robert F. Gartland Lawrence E. Auriana John G. Duane Ralph Balzano Brendan Dugan Janice Galli-Becker Regina Pitaro Vincent R. Cappucci Martin Cottingham Matthew Classi Clarissa Elgarten Anthony N. Correra Thomas Flood Anthony Dolce Louis Grassi Anthony F. Giordano Msgr. Kieran Harrington Hon. Frank J. Guarini William J. Hogan Frank P. Marzano John Loconsolo Phyllis Frankfort Perillo Joseph Mattone, Sr., Esq. David A. Pope Charles McQuade Domenick J. Schinco Arthur J. Mirante II Jason DeSena Trennert Michael (Buzzy) O’Keeffe Lester J. Owens Alex Perez Bruce C. Ratner Joseph Sciame Carlo A. Scissura, Esq. Anthony Zito.